About me

Welcome to my profile.

I am an experienced BACP registered therapist with a special interest in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I integrate advanced CBT skills with other effective approaches to help with anxiety, depression, panic, excessive worrying, doubts, intrusive thoughts-compulsions/OCD, relationship issues and many other concerns (listed below)I work with women worldwide and welcome clients from all faiths and backgrounds.

I also offer Islamic counselling for those looking for a faith based approach, integrating Islamic values with highly effective conventional therapeutic approaches like CBT.

Counselling offered is safe and highly confidential. You will find me to be approachable, non-judgemental and supportive.

I work with clients located in the UK and abroad including Middle East, Asia and America offering:

I integrate skills and techniques from the most effective approaches in my counselling work. These include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Systemic/family therapy and person-centred therapy.

For Muslim clients islamic values are also integrated into the counselling process. www.zamzamcounselling.co.ukThis focus on faith and spirituality has made a huge difference to the muslim women I have helped over the years.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Many clients find CBT to be very helpful. It is a structured and effective therapeutic approach that emphasizes on the link between our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and bodily sensations.

CBT mainly focuses on the current processes that maintain our problems and how to break that unhelpful cycle. It can help us manage difficult feelings and tackle challenges by learning new ways of thinking about and responding to challenging situations.

Other approaches also have their strengths and a lot to offer. The most important thing is to adapt therapy to the individual's unique situation and personality.

My background

I obtained my first degree in Medicine from Dow Medical College and then worked at Civil Hospital Karachi before moving to UK in 1999. Thereafter, while parenting my four children, I studied theology, Arabic and psychology in London. Following my interests, I decided to do a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling/Psychotherapy followed by additional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. In my spare time I enjoy reading, yoga, gardening and relaxing in natural surroundings.

My experience includes counselling adults, adolescents and children from different cultures, faiths and backgrounds in various organisational settings (work experience listed below) Getting Started

You can contact me by telephone or email. I will then have a 5-10 minutes informal chat with you over the phone to get an idea of your needs and answer any questions you would like to ask. If you then decide to go ahead, we can book our first session.

In the first session we will explore your main concerns and what you expect from therapy. You will begin to share what is going on for you and your goals for these sessions. I will explain the counselling approach that I feel may help you. If you are happy to go ahead we will continue our sessions once a week.

How will these sessions help you

Counselling with me will give you the opportunity to effectively explore your thoughts, feelings and get a fresh perspective on your situation aiding you to make the right choices and changes.

You will also learn a variety of life long skills that are known to be effective in dealing with difficult issues. My style is very gentle and non-judgmental which will help you feel safe and supported enough to explore your difficulties at your own pace.

It can be very overwhelming to keep difficult feelings like anxiety, sadness, guilt or embarrassment bottled up. These counselling sessions will give you a chance to openly discuss your feelings, situation, and the thoughts that are bothering you, in a way that is not possible with friends and family. You will feel valued and accepted without being judged.

Counselling offers you a safe, private and confidential opportunity to work through your concerns and achieve a state of emotional wellbeing and empowerment.

Duration and frequency

Sessions are weekly and each lasts 50 minutes

The number of sessions will depend on your needs and preference.I offer both short term counselling (6-12 sessions) or longer term, if that is what you need. There is no minimum number of sessions and you may stop at anytime.

Convenient location and FreeParking

More and more clients are now requesting Skype or telephone counselling but I also offer face-to-face sessions. My practice is located within the peaceful Barnhill Estate of Wembley Park, North West London. It's at a walking distance from the bus and tube stations.

Therapeutic work with teenagers - Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Working with Phobias.

Work Experience

Brent Bereavement Services

SOAS Student Counselling Services (University of London)

Kids Company

Zamzam Counselling

Membership and RegistrationI am a registered counsellor and a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy)I follow BACP's Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Excessive doubts (including religious obsessions for example regarding prayer and other rituals)Intrusive thoughts (including those related to religious beliefs)Health anxiety Shyness and social anxietyDifficulty trusting peopleDependenceFeelings of Vulnerability Feelings of insecurity and rejectionFeelings of failure or incompetency Feeling worthless or defectiveSocial exclusion (feeling different or isolated from the rest)Family issuesIssues with in laws

Further information

Both Skype and telephone counselling sessions are very practical and convenient ways of accessing professional help, especially when it is difficult to attend face-to-face appointments due to distance, work/childcare commitments, busy schedules, etc.

Skype (video call) is now a very popular medium for counselling that gives an experience similar to attending face-to-face sessions, from the comfort of your home. You may be in a different city or country from your therapist, distance is no more a barrier!

Skype is a free software that is quick to download and can be conveniently accessed from your mobile, tablet or any computer.

While many people like having their sessions via a video call, some prefer the added sense of anonymity offered by telephone counselling. Telephone counselling can be conducted via regular calls from mobiles, landline or through the internet by using Skype, WhatsApp or other applications.